So here we are in the new year. Yet, as much as we had hoped otherwise, not much has changed on the Georgian home front. The platform Civil.ge describes 2025 in Georgia as a year of descent and endurance, noting that “Georgian Dream has yet to achieve full consolidation of authoritarian rule, and the battle is still on.”
All the more, we owe respect to those who continue to demonstrate—fighting the odds and the threat of detention—for 400 days and counting. The same respect is due to those tirelessly covering the demonstrations: the photographers and writers who keep us informed about what is happening.
It is challenging work in a tough environment. Those who do it need support so they can continue their much-needed efforts. That is why they created Sinatle / The Lights Must Stay On, a platform that supports independent media in Georgia. If you can, take a look.
And let us hope that the lights will shine even brighter as we move into this year.
Demonstrating for freedom in 2024 — the words she wrote then still resonate today. Tbilisi, May 2024
Picture from the archive: marching in protest against the self-proclaimed government, Tbilisi, Georgia, May 2025.
There’s no stopping the demonstrations. For over 300 consecutive days, Georgian citizens have been marching through the streets of their capital and other cities, both large and small, in protest against the self-proclaimed government. They are calling for the release of all political prisoners, new and fair elections, and the continuation of Georgia’s accession process to the EU.
Although the number of participants varies, the determination of those who show up remains unwavering. Defying current probabilities, they continue to stand up for—and believe in—a near future within European and Western alliances.
Tensions now appear to be rising again in the days leading up to the local elections on October 4th, with some opposition forces calling for a mass demonstration on election day, aimed at peacefully overthrowing the government.
Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed Georgian government is doing everything in its power to further widen the rift with the European Union. It has summoned first the German, then the British ambassador, accusing them of “interference in the internal affairs of the host country.” Unsurprisingly, these actions—along with similar remarks previously voiced by government representatives—were met with a swift and firm response from the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, which rejected “the baseless and damaging accusations about the role and activities of some diplomatic missions in Georgia.”
The situation highlights both the resilience of Georgian civil society and the deepening diplomatic tensions, underscoring the high stakes as the country approaches what could be another critical electoral moment—even though most opposition parties are not participating, having rejected the legitimacy of the current administration.
Picture from the archive: demonstrating for a European future on Europe Day, 09.05.2025, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Today, May 26th, is a national holiday in Georgia, commemorating the day in 1918 when the Democratic Republic of Georgia was established.
To all my friends in Georgia: I wish you a happy Independence Day! Especially in these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to remember what’s at stake—not just in Georgia, but everywhere.
A young protester on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue during 2024’s demonstrations against the „Russian Law“.
Commitment, determination, a spirit of resilience—along with a sense of unity and moments of joy—left a strong impression on me during the protests against the ‚Russian Law‘ in Tbilisi in May 2024.
Eighty days and counting. The Georgian people continue to take to the streets every day and night, protesting in the capital, Tbilisi, and cities across the country. They are demanding new and fair elections, the release of all political prisoners, and the continuation of the EU accession process.
This is a prime example of unwavering civic engagement in the fight for democracy—organized by civil society. We, as the „Western world,“ should watch and learn.
„Never surrender“—this idea has carried the protests from May of last year, when I met this young man, to today, 80 days after the current demonstrations began.
While the protests are still going on and going strong in Georgia, for the 58th day in a row, new and creative ways are emerging. Such as today, the hacking of payment machines in Tbilisi busses, so that people heard the declaration of Georgian independence: „I am Georgian, therefor I am European“ among other protest songs and speeches.
Embodying resolve and resilience – a woman protesting the „Russian Law“ in Tbilisi, May 2024.
